(Luca's perspective)
Nick's name flashed on my phone just as I was yanking on my jacket. Probably calling to brag about some dumb prank or maybe that Kimmy finally got her high score in that dance game they'd been obsessing over.
"Nick, I swear if this is about—"
"Quinn just left. She insisted on riding home alone," he interrupted, and I froze, halfway out the door.
"You let her leave? Alone?"
"Hey, she's not a kid, okay?" Nick argued. "She said she could handle herself. Said she's got her powers now or whatever." I could hear him trying to defend himself, but it was all just excuses. Quinn might be stubborn, but I'd thought Nick had common sense.
"Oh, that's rich," I snapped, already running down the stairs. "You let her ride into the night, alone, after everything that's happened?"
"She insisted, Luca! What was I supposed to do? Tie her to the couch?"
The thought wasn't entirely unappealing, but I didn't bother answering him, just hung up mid-rant. If I listened to one more excuse from that idiot, I was going to explode. I could practically hear Quinn's voice in my head already—something sarcastic, rolling her eyes at me for being "overbearing" or "annoying." Well, maybe if she'd shown one ounce of self-preservation, I wouldn't have to be so overbearing.
Out in the street, I picked up her scent immediately, that faint cinnamon smell that somehow always made me feel like an idiot for noticing it. I took off, moving fast, following her trail down the empty roads. I knew she'd be scared of rustling bushes, and, honestly, good. A bit of terror might do her some good; teach her not to be so recklessly.
The scent got stronger as I came around a bend. She was close. I ducked behind a tree, breathing quietly as her bike creaked over the hill. I let her get closer, her bike wobbling a bit as she peddled hard to keep up speed. At the last second, I stepped out onto the path, my eyes catching the moonlight just right, letting her see the glow.
She gasped, skidding to a halt, looking like a terrified rabbit about to bolt. It took all my self-control not to laugh. So much for her fearless routine.
"Who—who's there?" she stammered, clutching the handlebars like they were a lifeline.
"Only someone incredibly furious at you right now," I growled, letting her hear every ounce of my frustration. Her face went through about five different shades of confusion before she realized it was me.
"Luca?! What the hell is wrong with you?" she spat, her shock quickly turning to fury.
"What's wrong with me?" I stepped closer, glowering at her. "I'm not the one biking through the dark like it's nothing, am I? Do you have any idea—"
She reached out and slapped my shoulder, hard. I staggered back, more from shock than anything. "Did you just…hit me?"
"That's for scaring me half to death, you jerk!" she said, voice rising, her cheeks red. I wasn't sure if it was from anger or just plain embarrassment. Knowing Quinn, probably both.
I scoffed. "Oh, and you just had to take off alone? You know what's out here! It's not like we're being chased by Echoes or anything." The sarcasm was thick, practically dripping from my words.
She folded her arms, glaring at me. "Yeah, thanks for the news flash. I'm fully aware of what's out here. But I can handle myself, thank you very much!"
"Oh, clearly," I said, rolling my eyes. "You know, you're lucky I don't just drag you back to my house right now."
She let out a humorless laugh, leaning forward, her face inches from mine, challenging. "Oh, you think I'd let you?"
The tension between us was thick enough to cut, but I was too riled up to back down. "You are so—" I stumbled, words failing me as I took another step closer, my face barely a breath away from hers. "You're infuriating, you know that?"
"Oh, I'm infuriating?" She poked my chest, her face twisted in a sneer that somehow only made her look… well, better than she should. "That's rich, coming from you, the king of aggravation."
"You have got to be the most stubborn person I've ever met," I shot back, getting closer still.
"Oh, I'm stubborn? This coming from the guy who's been nothing but impossible since day one!" She shoved me again, and this time I didn't move back.
And then, like some complete idiot, I leaned in and kissed her – hard.
It was like I'd been holding back a storm, and all it took was one moment of weakness to let it loose. The world fell away, leaving only the feel of her lips, warm and soft under mine. She froze for half a second, her fists tight on my jacket as if she was going to push me away. But then something shifted, and she pulled me closer, her lips parting, and I was lost.
I tightened my grip, one hand on the back of her neck, pulling her into me like she was the last thing keeping me grounded. She tasted like cinnamon and defiance and just… Quinn. It was addictive, maddening, and I didn't want to stop. I don't know how long we were kissing but I was getting madly aroused and I could feel that she was too and I found myself devouring her neck. She didn't think I would hear her little moan that slipped our from enjoyment, but oh boy, I most certainly did, egging me on to savour every taste of her.
Then her hands slid up, pushing against my chest. She shoved me back, breathing hard, her eyes wide and dazed. "What—what the hell was that?"
I took a step back, trying to get a grip on myself, my own breathing ragged. "I don't know. I just—"
"Just uh what?" She crossed her arms, scowling at me. "What am I, your experiment or something?"
"Experiment? You're not—" I ran a hand through my hair, trying to piece together a coherent thought. "You know it's not like that."
"Really? Because it feels exactly like that," she snapped, grabbing her bike and starting to walk it down the road.
"Where are you going?"
"Home," she said with a huff. "Away from you and your ridiculous mood swings."
"Oh, so now I'm the moody one? Like you're some beacon of calm and rationality?" I shot back, following her.
She didn't answer, just rolled her eyes and kept walking, muttering something about "overgrown wolves and their stupid tempers."
I grinned, falling into step beside her. "Overgrown wolves, huh? That's what you think I am?"
"Oh, don't even start." She shot me a glare but couldn't hide the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "It's like you wake up every day thinking, 'Hmm, how can I make Quinn's life just a little bit more unbearable?'"
I smirked, walking right alongside her. "Unbearable? Please. I'm the best part of your day."
She snorted. "You're delusional."
"Am I?" I leaned in closer, nudging her shoulder with mine. "Because I think you're a little more into me than you're letting on."
She stopped, turning to stare at me, her mouth falling open in pure shock. "You have got to be kidding me. Into you?"
I shrugged, not even trying to hide my grin. "I mean, you're hanging out with my pack, dating my brother, you're clearly obsessed with me…"
"Obsessed with you?" She looked like she was about to burst out laughing. "You're out of your mind."
"Guess we'll see." I took a step back, giving her a cocky smile. "School tomorrow, right? Bet you'll be staring at me in homeroom."
She rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn't get stuck. "Don't flatter yourself, Luca. If anything, I'll be ignoring you."
I chuckled, knowing she didn't mean it. "Alright, pretty lady, if that's what you need to tell yourself."
She gave me a look that could have frozen lava, mounting her bike again as we reached her front gate. "Go home, Luca. Seriously."
"Sure thing," I said, turning to leave. "But you better believe I'll see you tomorrow."
As I walked away, I couldn't help grinning like an idiot. She was going to hate me in the morning, but… well, some things were worth it.